Apparatus for introducing a mist of water into a gas

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for introducing a mist of water into a gas, in particular into air, comprising a rotatably supported blade wheel including a plurality of blades carried by an end plate and a plurality of axially spaced rings with sharp outside edges attached to and projecting from the blades, perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the blade wheel and extending along the circumference of the same, driving means for the blade wheel, a stationary cage coaxial with the blade wheel and surrounding the blades, a gas inlet at the end of the blade wheel remote from the end plate, and at least one water supply conduit discharging into the gas inlet, so that the gas drawn into the inlet leaves the blade wheel in humidified condition through the spaces between the rings. The blade wheel is spacedly arranged within a conduit section to which the gas to be treated is supplied by a ventilator, in such manner that a portion of the gas stream is drawn into the blade wheel and is humidified in the same, and that the humidified gas leaving the blade wheel is admixed to the gas stream flowing around the blade wheel.

United States Patent van Diepenbroek APPARATUS FOR INTRODUCING A MIST OF WATER INTO A GAS Alfred Erich Wibrandt van Diepenbroek, Ermelo, Netherlands Inventor:

Assignee: Bronswerk-Apparatenbauw N.V. v/n

Moring & Steenaart, Nijkert,

Netherlands Filed: July 7, 1972 Appl. No.: 269,583

Foreign Application Priority Data July 9, 1971 Netherlands 7109489 US. Cl 261/30, 261/90, 261/79 A,

' 55/230 Int. Cl .Q. BOlf 3/04 Field of Search 26l/24, 30, 79 A, 90; 55/230 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Primary Examiner-Frank W. Lu'tter Assistant Examiner-Steven H. Markowitz Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Eric H. Waters [5 7] ABSTRACT An apparatus for introducing a mist of water into a gas, in particular into air, comprising a rotatably supported blade wheel including a plurality of blades carried by an end plate and a plurality of axially spaced rings with sharp outside edges attached to and projecting from the blades, perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the blade wheel and extending along the circumference of the same, driving means for the blade wheel, a stationary cage coaxial with the blade wheel and surrounding the blades, a gas inlet at the end of the blade wheel remote from the end plate, and at least one water supply conduit discharging into the gas inlet, so that the gas drawn into the inlet leavesthe blade wheel in humidified condition through the spaces between the rings. The blade wheel is spacedly arranged within a conduit section to which the gas to be treated is supplied by a ventilator, in such manner that a portion of the gas stream is drawn into the blade wheel and is humidified in the same, and that the humidified gas leaving the blade wheel is admixed to the gas stream flowing around the blade wheel.

12 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures APPARATUS FOR INTRODUCING A MIST OF WATER INTO A GAS BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to an apparatus for introducing a mist of water into a gas, in particular into air, comprising a rotatably supported blade wheel including a plurality of blades carried by an end plate and a plurality of axially spaced rings with sharp outside edges attached to and projecting from the blades, perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the blade wheel and extending along the circumference of the same, driving means for the blade wheel, a stationary cage coaxial with the blade wheel and surrounding the blades, a gas inlet at the end of the blade wheel remote from the end plate, and at least one water supply conduit discharging into the gas inlet, so that the gas drawn into the gas inlet leaves the blade wheel in humidified condition through the spaces between the rings.

An apparatus of this kind has been disclosed in Dutch Pat. No. 83,065. In the known apparatus the blade wheel serves as an impeller for a centrifugal ventilator delivering the humidified gas. The known apparatus provides for a supersaturation of, for instance, 4 g of water per kg of gas and is used in particular for air conditioning purposes. Although the known apparatus is generally satisfactory, it has been found that the manufacturing costs and the required space increase disproportionately if very large quantities of the humidified gas are required.

The invention has the object to provide an apparatus for humidifying a gas, in particular air, having important advantages in this respect.

According to the invention, the blade wheel is spacedly arranged within a conduit section to which the gas to be treated is supplied by a ventilator, in such manner that a portion of the gas stream is drawn into the blade wheel and is humidified in the same. and that the humidified gas leaving the blade wheel is admixed to the gas stream flowing around the blade wheel.

In the apparatus according to the invention the blade wheel has only a slight influence on the pressure of the humidified gas, so that the blade wheel may rotate at a high speed without any significant increase of the pressure, whereby the water is introduced with a high efficiency. Thus, the amount of water introduced per unit of time into the gas flowing through a blade wheel with given dimensions is much larger than in the known apparatus.

The degree of supersaturation of the gas drawn into the blade wheel is a multiple of the finally desired value; the required supersaturation, for instance of 4 g of water per kg'of gas, is obtained by admixing the heavily supersaturated gas to the gas stream flowing around the blade wheel.

The use of a separate ventilator for supplying the gas to be treated to the conduit section makes it possible to operate this ventilator with an optimal aerodynamic efficiency, in particular if an axial ventilator is used, which has a high yield at a relatively low pressure. The energy consumption is greatly reduced in this manner.

It is preferred to arrange the gas inlet to the blade wheel at the back side of the same, as seen in the main direction of flow of the gas stream in the conduit section.

In this case, the ventilator may be arranged before the blade wheel, as seen in the main direction of flow of the gas'stream in the conduit section.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention a stationary gas inlet ring is arranged immediately behind the blade wheel, as seen in the main direction of flow of the gas stream in the conduit section.

At least one water supply conduit may debouch into this gas inlet ring.

Furthermore, it is preferred to arrange a stationary conical guide surface before the blade wheel as seen in the main direction of flow of the gas stream in the conduit section, in such manner that the guide surface expands towards the blade wheel and terminates in the immediate vicinity of the same, and that the maximum diameter of the guide surface is at least equal to the external diameter of the cage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 shows a front view of an apparatus according I to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The drawing shows apreferred embodiment of an apparatus for introducing a mist of water into a gas, in particular into air, in such manner that a supersaturated gas is obtained.

This apparatus comprises a blade wheel 1 including an end plate 2, to which a small number of blades 3 are attached. The blades 3 are connected with a plurality of rings 4 having sharp outside edges; these rings are perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the blade wheel I, extend along the circumference of the blade wheel and project from the blades 3. A stationary cage 5, which may be composed of round rods and is coaxial with the blade wheel 1, surrounds the blades 3.

The blade wheel 1 is driven by a shaft 6 carrying a pulley 7, which is coupled by means of ropes with a sec ond pulley 8 driven by a motor 9.

The blade wheel 1 is arranged in a cylindrical conduit section 10 coaxial with the blade wheel 1 and having a diameter several times larger than the diameter of the blade wheel. The gas to be treated is drawn into the conduit section 10 by means of an axial ventilator 11 having a hollow driving shaft 12 surrounding the shaft 6 of the blade wheel 1. The hollow driving shaft 12 carries a pulley 13 coupled by means of ropes with a pulley I 14, which is driven by a second motor 15.

On one side of the axial ventilator 11 the hollow driving shaft 12 is supported by a bearing 16 carried by means of arms 17 by the conduit section 10. On the other side of the axial ventilator 11 the hollow driving shaft 12 is supported by a bearing 18 carried by a stationary conical guide surface 19 expanding towards the blade wheel 1 and terminating in the immediate vicinity of the end blade 2. The maximum diameter of the guide surface 19 is at least equal to and preferably slightly larger than the external diameter of the cage 5. The guide surface 19 is carried by the conduit section 10 by means of supporting arms 20.

A stationary gas inlet ring 21 carried by the conduit section 10 by means of supporting arms 22 is arranged on the other side of the blade wheel 1. A plurality of water supply conduits 23 discharge into the gas inlet ring 21; the conduits 23 are provided with nozzles (not shown in the drawings), which may be arranged partially radially, partially axially and partially tangentially, in order to get a satisfactory water distribution.

The gas to be treated is transported through the conduit section 10 in the direction of the arrowsby the ventilator 1 1. Thus, the gas inlet ring 21 is arranged behind the blade wheel 1, as seen in the main direction of flow of the gas stream in the conduit section 10, whereas the axial ventilator l l and the guide surface 19 are arranged before the blade wheel 1. A portion of the gas stream flowing past the blade wheel 1 is drawn into the blade wheel through the gas inlet ring 21 and is sprayed with water in the inlet ring. This water is carried along by the gas into the blade wheel 1 and is thrown away with great force by the rings 4, so that the round rods of the cage surrounding the blade wheel are hit by the water, whereby the water is spread into a fine mist.

The desired supersaturation of the gas stream is obtained due to the fact that the gas leaving the blade wheel 1 is admixed to the gas stream flowing around the blade wheel.

in the embodiment as shown the cylindrical conduit section is connected behind the blade wheel 1 through an adapter 24 with a conduit 25 having a rectangular cross-section and containing a drop collector 26. An outlet 27 for the superfluous water is provided at the bottom of the rectangular conduit 25.

The invention is not restricted to the embodiment as shown, which may be varied in several manners within the scope of the appended claims. For instance, it is possible by way of an alternative to mount the blade wheel 1 and the ventilator 11 on a common shaft and to drive them with common driving means.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for introducing a mist of water into a gas, in particular into air, comprising a rotatably supported blade wheel including a plurality of blades carried by an end plate and a plurality of axially spaced rings with sharp outside edges attached to and projecting from the blades, perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the blade wheel and extending along the circumference of the same, driving means for the blade wheel, a stationary cage coaxial with the blade wheel and surrounding the blades, a gas inlet at the end of the blade wheel remote from the end plate, and at least one water supply conduit discharging into the gas inlet, so that the gas drawn into the gas inlet leaves the blade wheel in humidified condition through the spaces between the rings, the blade wheel being spacedly arranged within a conduit section to which the gas to be treated is supplied by a ventilator, in such manner that a portion of the gas stream is drawn into the blade wheel and is humidified in the same, and that the humidified gas leaving the blade wheel is admixed to the gas stream flowing around the blade wheel.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gas to be treated is supplied to the conduit section by an axial ventilator.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gas inlet to the blade wheel is arranged at the back side of the same as seen in the main direction of flow of the gas stream in the conduit section.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ventilator is arranged before the blade wheel as seen in the main direction of flow of the gas stream in the conduit section.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conduit section is coaxial with the blade wheel.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the diameter of the conduit section is several times larger than the diameter of the blade wheel.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a stationary gas inlet ring is arranged immediately behind the blade wheel as seen in the main direction of flow of the gas stream in the conduit section.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein at least one water supply conduit debouches into the gas inlet ring.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a stationary conical guide surface is arranged before the blade wheel as seen in the main direction of flow of the gas stream in the conduit section, in such manner that the guide surface expands towards the blade wheel and terminates in the immediate vicinity of the same, and that the maximum diameter of the guide surface is at least equal to the external diameter of the cage.

10. An apparatus for introducing a mist of water into a gas, in particular into air, comprising a rotatably supported blade wheel including a plurality of blades carried by an end plate and a plurality of axially spaced rings with sharp outside edges attached to and projecting from the blades, perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the blade wheel and extending along the circumference of the same, driving means for the blade wheel, a stationary cage coaxial with the blade wheel and surrounding the blades, a gas inlet at the end of the blade wheel remote from the end plate, and at leastone water supply conduit discharging into the gas inlet, so that the gas drawn into the gas inlet leaves the blade wheel in humidified condition through the spaces between the rings, the blade wheel being coaxially and spacedly arranged with a conduit section which has a diameter which is several times larger than the diameter of the blade wheel, to which conduit section the gas to be treated is supplied by an axial ventilator, said gas inlet including a stationary gas inlet ring arranged immediately behind the blade wheel in which gas inlet ring said at least one water supply conduit debouches, and the ventilator is arranged before the blade wheel, a stationary conical guide surface is arranged before the blade wheel, which guide surface expands towards the blade wheel and terminates in the immediate vicinity of the same, the maximum diameter of the guide surface being at least equal to the external diameter of the cage.

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the ventilator has a hollow shaft surrounding the shaft of the blade wheel, and that the said shafts are driven by separate driving means.

12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the. blade wheel and the ventilator are mounted on a common shaft driven by a common driving means. 

1. An apparatus for introducing a mist of water into a gas, in particular into air, comprising a rotatably supported blade wheel including a plurality of blades carried by an end plate and a plurality of axially spaced rings with sharp outside edges attached to and projecting from the blades, perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the blade wheel and extending along the circumference of the same, driving means for the blade wheel, a stationary cage coaxial with the blade wheel and surrounding the blades, a gas inlet at the end of the blade wheel remote from the end plate, and at least one water supply conduit discharging into the gas inlet, so that the gas drawn into the gas inlet leaves the blade wheel in humidified condition through the spaces between the rings, the blade wheel being spacedly arranged within a conduit section to which the gas to be treated is supplied by a ventilator, in such manner that a portion of the gas stream is drawn into the blade wheel and is humidified in the same, and that the humidified gas leaving the blade wheel is admixed to the gas stream flowing around the blade wheel.
 2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gas to be treated is supplied to the conduit section by an axial ventilator.
 3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gas inlet to the blade wheel is arranged at the back side of the same as seen in the main direction of flow of the gas stream in the conduit section.
 4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ventilator is arranged before the blade wheel as seen in the main direction of flow of the gas stream in the conduit section.
 5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conduit section is coaxial with the blade wheel.
 6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the diameter of the conduit section is several times larger than the diameter of the blade wheel.
 7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a stationary gas inlet ring is arranged immediately behind the blade wheel as seen in the main direction of flow of the gas stream in the conduit section.
 8. An apparatus as claimEd in claim 7, wherein at least one water supply conduit debouches into the gas inlet ring.
 9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a stationary conical guide surface is arranged before the blade wheel as seen in the main direction of flow of the gas stream in the conduit section, in such manner that the guide surface expands towards the blade wheel and terminates in the immediate vicinity of the same, and that the maximum diameter of the guide surface is at least equal to the external diameter of the cage.
 10. An apparatus for introducing a mist of water into a gas, in particular into air, comprising a rotatably supported blade wheel including a plurality of blades carried by an end plate and a plurality of axially spaced rings with sharp outside edges attached to and projecting from the blades, perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the blade wheel and extending along the circumference of the same, driving means for the blade wheel, a stationary cage coaxial with the blade wheel and surrounding the blades, a gas inlet at the end of the blade wheel remote from the end plate, and at least one water supply conduit discharging into the gas inlet, so that the gas drawn into the gas inlet leaves the blade wheel in humidified condition through the spaces between the rings, the blade wheel being coaxially and spacedly arranged with a conduit section which has a diameter which is several times larger than the diameter of the blade wheel, to which conduit section the gas to be treated is supplied by an axial ventilator, said gas inlet including a stationary gas inlet ring arranged immediately behind the blade wheel in which gas inlet ring said at least one water supply conduit debouches, and the ventilator is arranged before the blade wheel, a stationary conical guide surface is arranged before the blade wheel, which guide surface expands towards the blade wheel and terminates in the immediate vicinity of the same, the maximum diameter of the guide surface being at least equal to the external diameter of the cage.
 11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the ventilator has a hollow shaft surrounding the shaft of the blade wheel, and that the said shafts are driven by separate driving means.
 12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the blade wheel and the ventilator are mounted on a common shaft driven by a common driving means. 